Working With Native Americans in a Social Work Setting

Certain aspects of Native American cultures may affect the process and outcome of Native Americans who seek out assistance from social workers. The values and norms inherent in many Native American cultures often present unique circumstances when individuals from those cultures deal with the dominant culture. There are at least 550 different Native American tribes in the United States, and within those tribes are unique and distinct cultural variables to assess. Because all of those tribes …

…of other cultures. There are often many barriers and obstacles individuals must overcome (including personal, environmental and institutional) before they step foot into a social work agency, and it is devastating to know that they could walk right out as a result of an even just one off-putting element. It is important to be mindful of the fact that our way (American culture) is not necessarily the right way, it is only a different way.